All3 shutters German prodco

All3Media Germany is closing down its Me, Myself & Eye Entertainment (MME) production label with the firm’s staff moving across to Tower Productions, its joint venture with BBC Worldwide (BBCWW).

The restructure will see Arne Kreutzfeldt become MD at Tower while MME chief Marc Lammek will leave the company. Kreutzfeldt was previously executive producer and head of factual entertainment at both Tower and MME.

BBCWW exec producer Philipp Schmid has also been appointed as creative director and deputy MD at Tower.

The revamp gives Tower exclusive access to both BBCWW and All3Media’s catalogues of non-scripted formats with MME “no longer promoting its market presence as a separate company,” according to a statement from the UK pubcaster’s commercial arm.

Tobi de Graaff, BBCWW’s exec VP for Western Europe, Global Markets, said combining the two format catalogues would make Tower a “production powerhouse” and that he would be looking for further opportunities for the firm in the region. Shows on its enlarged catalogue include Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear and Four in a Bed.

Dr Markus Schäfer, MD of All3Media Germany and COO/CFO at MME Moviement, added: “It is an honour for us and underscores the international reputation of the All3Media Group, as well as our market position in Germany, that BBC Worldwide has decided to renew its co-operation with us.

“This represents another important step for us in implementing our strategy of continuing to grow in Germany with strong formats and partners, while at the same time enhancing the profile of the All3Media Group.”

Tower Productions was formed in 2009 as a joint venture between All3 and BBCWW to produce and develop its formats in Germany. Discovery- and Liberty Global-owned All3 is a major shareholder in MME Moviement AG, with its labels Filmpool Entertainment, Filmpool Fiction and MME – in future Tower Productions – active in the film and TV market.

“Transferring the MME format catalogue and staff to Tower Productions will subsequently ensure a clear market presence and a single point of call for customers of both format catalogues,” added the BBC statement.

All3 at one time had ambitions of taking MME/Filmpool into the US market.